What's In Your Milk Label?

I recently had a chance to watch the film The Corporation, a documentary examining the nature of the corporation as a physical, individual entity living and acting in our post-modern world, with all the various and disturbing side-effects.

Good ol' Monsanto and its prize product Posilac, or recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), used to increase milk production in dairy cows for "maximum profit potential", was prominently featured. I shuddered at the images of the cows suffering from mastitis and other various side effects from this wonder drug, and I wonder what special hellish planet awaits those who think the use of rGBH is worth the pain brought about.

In related news, the Indiana State Legislature is about to pass a bill which "would prevent dairy labels that contain a 'compositional or production-related claim that is supported solely by sworn statements, affidavits, or testimonials." In other words, anything related to the moral or ethical dimensions of the product would be off-limits."

In other other words, if you want to know whether your milk contains this hybrid chemical holocaust, too bad. It's not worth your time or health, according to the politicians and their attached lobbyists in Indiana. Check out the full article here for more info.

Solutions as always: Go vegan, buy local (non-corporate, and that includes corporate "organic"), and support cow protection programs.

Pearls and Stones from the Dust of New Vrindaban Dham

Listening, not sleeping in Bhagavatam class, I hear....

HG Nityodita Prabhu say that we are not chanting Hare Krsna. We are practicing to chant Hare Krsna. The more we trudge through the inattentiveness, the external distractions, our sloppy sadhana, our plans and schemes, etc, the sooner we'll reach that actual platform of hearing and chanting, from which all other processes of devotional service can then be dutifully performed with love.

He also said the less you try to control a situation, the less anxiety you'll have. I have a sticky-note with this on it, and I'm putting it on my forehead, or better yet this computer screen.

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HG Janak Mahajana Prabhu says that as long as we are in our material bodies, we will have to suffer with lusty thoughts. The best things we can do is chant, serve, feast on prasad, and detach, and understand that these thoughts are simply like the wind. They'll soon blow away.

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I had to explain to HG Yugal Kishore Prabhu what the term "gosh" meant, since he had heard it a few times, and didn't know what the heck it meant. I explained to him that people use that term if they don't want to take the Lord's name in vain, or just feel that saying God is too strong for the given situation. He nodded and understood, and then asked me to drive him to Detroit.

So remember, if you don't follow the ways of Gosh, you'll end up in the heckish planets.